allie rasmus joins us from st. mary's cathedral. >> reporter: that national tragedy will with be a topic of discussion across the bay area. we are outside st. mary's cathedral in san francisco just about five minutes ago they opened the doors for a small 7:30 service that will begin here. they expect people to come in and seek solace and prayer and try to make sense of what happened in connecticut. across town at grace cathedral the bishop there posted a statement on the mass shooting saying in part quote we know we must look at, wrestle with, understand and confront the root cause of the mass shooting that are occurring with greater and greater frequency across the country. i am the diocese of california stand in prayer with the diocese of connecticut as we seek to absorb unspeakable sorrow. throughout the weekend vigils have been held here in the bay area to remember the victims of the connecticut shooting. this one you're looking at happened in the excel sciarids district. back out here live the doors are open t